“That happened by a complete fluke, way back in 1974. I had sort of a loser boyfriend. He took me to meet his literary agent in a pub. The woman asked me, ‘What do you do?’ I’ve probably had less than a dozen psychic experiences, but I heard a voice in my head say, ‘You are standing on a nexus point in the universe. What you do now will change your life forever.’ Because of that voice, I said, ‘I’m involved in witchcraft.’ Her eyes got really big. She said, ‘Call me in two weeks.’ She had just left an agency and was looking for clients. She showed me how to write a book proposal. I’d never thought of writing a book. The written word scared me because it’s so eternal.”

She also talks about where she agrees with Newt Gingrich (space travel), the most interesting stories she’s been covering for NPR lately, and “looking at religion from completely outside ourselves.” The Conference on World Affairs is currently underway, and continues through Friday. Her two presentations are “What is a Cult,” and “The Lure of Interstellar Travel,” both being given today.

Michael Rex "Raging Bear" Mooney, right, with members of the Oklevueha Native American Church.

“Plaintiffs need not allege a threat of future prosecution because the statute has already been enforced against them. When the Government seized Plaintiffs’ marijuana pursuant to the CSA, a definite and concrete dispute regarding the lawfulness of that seizure came into existence.”

The court also ruled that the church does not need to apply to the DEA first for an exemption, though it did rule in the government’s favor by saying the seized marijuana doesn’t have to be returned or compensated for. You can read more about this case, here, and here. So far, there have been only two instances where entheogens used in a religious context have been able to win legal protection (peyote for Native American ceremonial purposes, and ayahuasca by the União do Vegetal). If the Oklevueha Native American Church (ONAC) is able to take this to the Supreme Court and win a religious exemption, and injunction against future prosecution, it could throw open the door to religious groups using marijuana as a sacrament. The Rastafari are an obvious example, but any group that is able to show a sincere use may also be able win exemptions. In my mind, legal entheogens are an inevitable eventuality of these cases, the question is not “if” but “when.”

“Lawyers have argued in court papers that the family members had a constitutionally protected right to practice fortunetelling and spiritual healing because it is a part of their religious belief system and fortunetelling is legally considered to be free speech. […] Attorney Michael Gottlieb, who wrote the 24-page legal document about religious rights, argued that his client, Nancy Marks, 42, of Fort Lauderdale and New York City, did nothing but try to help people, in line with her personal spiritual beliefs. […] “Nancy Marks’ conduct is rooted in her religion and spirituality,” Gottlieb wrote. “Based upon this prosecution, the defendant has lost her livelihood and has been unable to make a living using her historical religious and spiritual gifts.” […] The legal argument spells out some widely-held Romani beliefs but also draws comparisons with legal rulings about the rights of people who are Amish, Wiccans, Krishnas, Mormons, Catholics and Jews.”

Marijuana as a sacrament is a fine religious idea but, as a legal goal, it presupposes continued prohibition of marijuana generally.

Crystal Kendrick

I think it could be used to pad the persuasion to legalize marijuana. No more government spending on religious liberty/exemption cases, a win for everybody.

Lori F – MN

I have never understood why marijuana is more dangerous than heroin and coke. I have heard of users who stop, no side affects, for YEARS then take it back up when the kids are grown. It’s medical uses are well documented. But liquor and cigs are are addictive.

Mia

It’s part of the racial conflict in America. Marihuana became Marijuana when it was connected with Mexicans in the early 1900s propaganda (hence the “h” to “j” change). Then people later started coming up with medical reasoning to justify that. Now it’s culturally ingrained into much of America that it’s REALLY BAD despite the evidence.

Baruch Dreamstalker

I saw an analysis in the Sixties to the effect that each prohibited substances was associated with a minority group — racial or ethnic minorities with one exception (hippies, LSD). Even alcohol got associated with Central and Southern European immigrants.

Wgriffin

Z Budapest was arrested in 1975 for fortune telling. It made her famous when Ms Magazine reported it. For a rather colorful version of the event, see http://www.witchtrial.net/

Mia

Yup. There are also economic concerns too. Forgot the guy’s name, but back in the early 1900s a rich guy bought a lot of tree-rich lands and turned the paper industry towards tree pulp and away from hemp pulp (which marihuana is genetically and botanically related to, but can be easily distinguished from). He paid for much of the racist propaganda in order to fuel his industry.

Guest

We saw something yesterday outside a local psychic’s (religion unknown). There was a man and a boy dressed up in suits slowly going up her steps holding a giant Bible and praying, obviously offended about her profession. I didn’t stick around to watch the drama, but damn.

Obsidia

SUCH a beautiful photo of Margot Adler! And see what she said in the interview:

“I have a piece on controversies in yoga that’s about to air.” I’ll keep me eyes peeled for that one. Namaste’!

That may be a controversy – understandable, but most of my yoga teachers have been spiritual people as well.

Baruch Dreamstalker

Westerners have difficulty associating ascetic, disciplined Yoga with colorful, ritual Hinduism because these elements, which can and do coexist in many places, have been forcibly divorced in the West by both Christianity and the Enlightenment.